Is Celery Good for You? Here's What a Dietitian Says

That creamy smear of peanut butter on a stalk of crunchy celery is pretty much perfection. And what about your crudités platter—can you imagine it without those refreshingly crisp sticks of celery? We bet not. But beyond those classic pairings, you might be scratching your head at what else it is good for. And is celery actually good for you? We take a look at celery nutrition, the health benefits of celery and more to find out.

Celery Nutrition

Here are the nutrition facts for a 1-cup serving of chopped celery, according to the USDA:

• 14 calories
• 0.7 g protein
• 0.2 g fat
• 3 g carbohydrates
• 1.6 g fiber
• 0 mg cholesterol
• 0.2 mg iron
• 263 mg potassium
• 0.1 mg zinc
• 30 mcg vitamin K

Celery is a good source of vitamin K. One medium stalk of celery supplies about 10% of your daily vitamin K requirements, says Samantha Cassetty, M.S., RD, a nutrition and wellness expert and co-author of Sugar Shock. While that may not seem like much, she points out that it's a substantial amount, considering it's such a small portion of food. Vitamin K is an important nutrient that helps with blood clotting, wound healing and bone health.

At 95% water, it should come as no surprise that celery is a great hydrating food. It's also an excellent source of electrolytes, says Robin Foroutan, M.S., RDN, an integrative dietitian nutritionist and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. That, along with its fiber content, makes celery a great food for promoting gastrointestinal motility and regularity.

Health Benefits of Celery

For centuries, civilizations across the globe used celery not as food but as a medicinal herb. This makes sense, says Foroutan, who attributes the health benefits of celery to its concentration of antioxidants, which is confirmed in a 2020 study in the International Journal of Food Properties.

According to Cassetty and a 2019 review in Phytotherapy Research, those antioxidants play a key role in protecting against metabolic syndrome by enhancing gut health, guarding against oxidative stress and reducing chronic inflammation. Consuming celery and other foods rich in antioxidants has the potential to lower your risk for stroke, heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.

How to Choose and Store Celery

Celery can be found year-round in most U.S. grocery stores. It's typically sold as heads or as bundles of bagged hearts—which include only the inner, tender stalks.

Outer ribs can be a bit fibrous, but they pack serious celery flavor—use them for making broths, stocks and soups. Inner ribs are softer and their flavor is more subtle, making them perfect for salads and garnishes.

When selecting celery, look for firm bunches that are tightly packed; the stalks should be bright green and the leaves should look crisp, not wilted or brown. When you get home, store the celery in a plastic bag in the vegetable crisper drawer of your fridge. It should last up to two weeks that way. Or freeze it and use it within 12 to 18 months.

How to Enjoy Celery

Celery is an unsung hero in the culinary world. It's not flashy or fancy, but it's loaded with flavor that seasons stocks, broths and sauces, making it the backbone of many dishes. And every part of celery is delicious and edible. Use the stalks for pretty much everything and save those leafy tops for finishing salads or finely chopping as a garnish for soups.

"Celery also makes a great vehicle for egg or tuna salad or a slice of roasted turkey," says Cassetty. And Foroutan loves juicing her favorite vegetable—combining it with lime and cucumber for a refreshing drink.

If you're looking to up your culinary game, try using celery stalks as skewers, suggests Jackie Newgent, RDN, CDN, a plant-forward culinary nutritionist and author of The Clean & Simple Diabetes Cookbook: "I've used long thin slices of celery stalks as skewers since they can hold up well to heat—plus, they're edible which means there's no waste."

The Bottom Line

Celery is a crunchy, tasty and nutritious vegetable all on its own. It also makes a great vehicle for nut butters and hummus or other dips. Or you can add it to your favorite recipes for an extra crunch and dose of nutrition.

If you need more inspiration, try some of our favorite celery recipes, including Stir-Fried Celery with Peanuts, Cream of Celery Soup and Radish, Celery & Cucumber Salad.